The Arizona State Guard Trilogy

by Jeffrey M. Fortney

  "We have indeed, here and elsewhere," responded Titus. "That was the governor I was just speaking to. She called to check in on us and make sure I was up for the meeting she's got scheduled. And she extended an invitation for you to join the meeting, if you are so disposed?"

  "Meeting?"

  "Yes," said Titus, "two days from now in Phoenix, at the State Capitol. The border incursions by illegals AND Mexican Army and Air Force have increased dramatically in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Texas has already sent the Texas Rangers to secure their border. California is suffering a bad case of Liberalism and in a move of utter stupidity is welcoming the invasion with open arms. New Mexico has a milder case of it but is coming around. Arizona is gonna take a tough stand like Texas. Enough is enough."

  "So what's the plan?" asked Marcus.

  Titus rose and poured himself and Marcus a drink. Resuming his seat, he continued, "Our Arizona Rangers are primarily law enforcement types...and this is no longer a law enforcement problem. It's become an invasion! The Arizona National Guard can be federalized and has been worn down by repeated deployments overseas. But Arizona State Law provides the Governor an option in such cases...the Arizona State Guard. Phase One...she plans to activate, staff, and deploy the ASG to secure the border. Phase Two is to construct a border defense system to keep the invaders out."

  Marcus thought he knew what his father was going to say next, but he asked anyway. "So why does she want to see you?"

  Titus leaned back in his chair and smiled. "She wants me to run it!"

  Chapter 4

  Two days later, Marcus and Titus sat in a large room at the Arizona State Capitol as Governor Eleanor "Ellie" Alvarez addressed the assembled guests. After thanking the attendees for coming to the meeting, Governor Alvarez opened the floor to discuss the issues the states along the U.S./Mexico border were experiencing and possible solutions.

  It quickly became apparent the borders states were facing a crisis. The massive influx of so-called "undocumented immigrants" (in fact and point of law, illegal aliens) was filling those states with men, women, and children who spoke little or no English (with little or no desire to learn it!), and had few if any skills. Their very presence was a drain upon the communities and states in which they were being dropped by the Progressives in D.C. and further divided the peoples of the United States against their government and each other.

  The governor of California proudly claimed that the citizens of her state were welcoming the proud immigrants from the south with open arms and wallets. She added that she felt the other states and their leaders were being un-patriotic in not supporting President Quill's policies towards "the poor refugees braving the desert to come to the United States." Under the highly-unfriendly glare of the others in the room, she quickly sat down and shut up.

  New Mexico's governor rightfully realized that people in this room were not in favor of the massive influx of illegal aliens into the U.S. He was also politically shrewd enough to recognize that the vast majority of the people of his own state didn't favor illegal immigration either. He quickly outlined his state's border problems and then said he was at the meeting to investigation possible solutions.

  Governor Bill Dienst of the State of Texas rose and, in a style he learned in the U.S. Air Force, presented a concise briefing of the conditions along the Texas-Mexico border. His initial response to the problem was to send the Texas Rangers to patrol the border and then he work with his state government to start construction of a new border security zone. This zone would stretch the entire length of the Texas-Mexico border. A deep, wide ditch would be dug just inside the U.S. border and the excavated dirt would be used to fill a double-walled, precast-concrete tilt-up wall.

  Governor Dienst's personnel had discovered an old feasibility study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the rapid construction of a Wall and Ditch system. They had even found copies of plans for such a system and geologic surveys conducted along the border from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific to support the COE plans. The plans detailed how the wall components could be built in multiple locations along the construction zone to speed the process and reduce transportation costs. Temporary concrete batch plants could be set up at strategic points along the route to prepare the concrete required for the tilt-up wall components, lining the Ditch, and other purposes.

  The tilt-up wall components were concrete double tees, 30 feet in length by 15 feet wide and 30 inches deep. The double tees would be paired with one end set into a five feet deep trench and with the base of each tee aligned against the base of the opposing tee. Each pair of double tees would have thick metal tabs that extended from the tee bases and overlapped with the tabs on the opposite tee base. When these metal tabs were welded to each other, it would lock each pair of double tees together.

  As the wall grew, earth and rock excavated from the ditch would be carried up to the top and dumped into the void between the walls and bases then compacted until the material was a foot from the top of the paired double tees. Fence posts were added then concrete was added to seal the top and anchor the posts. Concertina wire would then be strung along the top of the wall and attached to the posts.

  On the northern wall of each northern double tee, four thick steel locking cradles jutted out 5 feet from the top edge of the double tee and 10 feet up from the bottom edge of the double tee. Each set of locking cradles were designed to support a steel rail that ran along the walls and, when welded together joined each pair of double tees to the pairs on either side. Every 100 feet, a buttress was constructed on the north side of the wall to give it additional lateral strength.

  Atop the wall would be double-twined concertina wire and protected search light systems. Every two miles a security watch tower would be erected to allow the new State Border Patrol to monitor the border. Each of the limited number of crossing check points would use a double gate system to prevent illegal entry through the check points.

  "The bottom line is," Governor Dienst said in conclusion, "that, given a Manhattan Project type approach, such a border defense system could be completed within 18-months! It'll take money and dedication. Texas is already ramping up to build it!"

  Governor Alvarez rose and stepped to the podium. She thanked the others for their reports, gracing the California representative with a withering gaze of disapproval. Alvarez told them her first action would be to send the Arizona National Guard to the border as a stop gap measure. She acknowledged that she expected President Quill to eventually nationalize the units, removing them from her control. The stop gap was merely to buy time to get her real plans into action, the creation and deployment of an Arizona State Guard and the construction of the Arizona section of the border defense system.

  The governor then announced that she was going to appoint Major General Titus Augustus Roman, U.S. Army (retired), to serve as the commanding general of the ASG. Titus rose to his feet and said simply, "I would be honored to serve, Madame Governor." The remainder of the meeting went by quickly and the Romans were soon in a private meeting with Governors Alvarez and Dienst.

  Marcus sat to one side of the room as his father and the governors discussed the activation of the ASG. He watched and listened as they discuss the role of the ASG, or ASGuard, the approximate number of personnel, support functions to be provided by the state, equipment, transportation, weaponry, rules of engagement, and many other details.

  Titus proposed an initial operational force of 3,600 personnel with the bulk of their logistics support to be provided by other state agencies. He planned to scout for locations along the southern border that could serve as unit headquarters for teams of ASGuard personnel. He recommended air support composed of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft at each of those locations for rapid deployment of personnel. When asked where such aircraft could come from, Titus said the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson. The state could contract with a company based at Marana Airport to acquire, repair, and u
pgrade such aircraft at a very reasonable cost and get just what they needed. Weapons and ammunition could be requisitioned from the National Guard initially and later from the Navajo Weapons Depot west of Flagstaff.

  Titus, Alvarez, and Dienst discussed the rules of engagement at length. Titus told the governors that he expected the ASGuard to counter incursions from Mexico by land, water, and air by civilians and Mexican military personnel. The primary goal of the ASGuard had to be to prevent people from illegally crossing the border, turn back those who would cross it, apprehend those they could, and stop those who failed to stop in their attempt to cross. It took hours to hammer out the ROEs, but with the experience Governor Dienst brought to the table, it was accomplished.

  Anyone approaching the border would be ordered to turn back. Those who crossed the border would be processed, photographed for future reference, then sent back across the border and ordered to stay away from the border. Anyone caught a second time would be arrested and processed for immediate extradition. Any attack upon the BP or ASGuard would be met in kind: throw a rock, expect to receive a non-lethal round or Taser shock. Fire a weapon at the BP or ASGuard and expect to be fired upon. The rules also applied to Mexican military personnel, watercraft, or aircraft. In short, the border was going to be sealed and the only authorized means to cross it would be at heavily protected crossing stations using legal means.

  Titus looked at the two governors and said, "You realize this will make you, me, and the States of Arizona and Texas very unpopular?"

  Governor Alvarez looked at Dienst then the general before replying. "As governors, our job is to protect the citizens of our states, not to molly coddle foreign nationals or political party agendas. If that makes me unpopular with some, I can live with it." Dienst nodded his agreement.

  Alvarez turned to Major General Titus Roman, Commander of the Arizona State Guard, and said, "Now, how do we recruit and fill the ranks of your new command. What are your thoughts, sir?"

  Marcus cleared his throat and rose to his feet. "Pardon me, Madame Governor, ...gentlemen. That a simple problem with an easy fix...let's look to our veterans. They've taken an oath to protect the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic! Many of them feel they have never been discharged from fulfilling that oath, even if they left the military or retired. They'll stand with the Citizens of Arizona and the United States of America! And...right here is your first volunteer!" The smiles on the faces of the others said it all.

  **********

  The next few weeks were a blur of motion for Marcus and his father. Working from temporary offices in state government buildings, they went about setting up the table of organization and equipment (TO&E) for the Arizona State Guard, ordering the equipment, vehicles, uniforms, and other materiel the ASGuard would need. They also worked the Internet and the phones to track down and recruit well-qualified personnel needed for the new organization.

  An old armory and barracks complex, used for decades as a storage facility for state records and equipment, was quickly prepared for the ASGuard's use. The large, main building echoed as the Romans and a small support staff transferred their operations to their headquarters. The sound of workers clearing, cleaning, repairing, and painting various rooms and hallways filled the building.

  Two days after transferring to the armory, Marcus heard a knock on his door. "Enter," he said without looking up from the requisition form he was examining carefully. Boots clicked on the tiled floor and stopped before Marcus' desk, a giant figure cast an equally giant shadow upon the desktop. Marcus looked up to see Sergeant First Class Aaron Templeton (U.S. Army, medically retired) standing at attention before him.

  "Sir, Sergeant First Class Templeton reporting as ordered!" Templeton barked.

  Marcus all but vaulted over his desk to close the distance between himself and his old friend. "Temp, you old dog! You came!"

  "Yes, sir! Couldn't let you have all the fun, go into danger, and risk life and limb without me by your side!" Templeton replied. The two men embraced and slapped each other on the back.

  Stepping back, Marcus said, "Damn glad to have you with us, Temp! We need you and other men and women just like you. So how are you doing?"

  Templeton raised his right arm and held out his hand. His right pinky finger was missing as was part of the tip of his ring finger. "Shoulder aches like hell when it gets ready to rain, but contrary to what the military doctors say, I'm mobile, hostile, and otherwise operational, Major!"

  Marcus smiled at his old friend. "C'mon, let me introduce you to the boss!" The two old friends walked down the hall to Titus' office. Titus welcomed Templeton as a long-lost son. The three soldiers spoke for the better part of an hour, then Titus asked his secretary to bring in the standard enlistment contract. Within minutes, Templeton was the newest member of the ASGuard.

  Each day more veterans came, were interviewed, and, if found to fit the physical and mental profile, were enlisted in the organization. As the organization grew, training programs were developed and implemented to prepare each member for the task ahead.

  One day, Marcus stepped into his father's officer and closed the door. "Sir, request permission to take a short leave to pick up one of our newest recruits."

  Titus removed his glasses and looked up at his son. "Is this person without transportation? Unable to drive?"

  Marcus smiled, knowing his father was pulling his leg. "Well, sir, the trip will be part ASGuard business, part personal business."

  Titus smiled back at his son and replied, "Very well, Major! And don't return without that recruit in hand!"

  A half hour later, Marcus was dressed in civilian clothes and preparing to leave. He dropped a small travel bag onto the backseat of the crew cab pickup he and his father had driven to Phoenix weeks before. Soon he was on Interstate 17 heading north to the Verde Valley. Two hours later, he pulled into the driveway of Teresa's grandparents' house in Sedona.

  Marcus, a combat veteran of numerous fire fights, watched his hand tremble as he reached out to ring the doorbell. Get it together, Roman, he thought to himself and pressed the button. A moment later, an elderly woman opened the door. Upon seeing Marcus, she turned to look into the house and called, "Teresa, your young man is here!" Turning back to Marcus she opened the door wide, "Come in, come in. Welcome to our home!"

  Marcus stepped inside. Before his eyes could adjust to the lower light of the living room, a ball of energy all but tackled him in a loving embrace sweetened with a kiss. Teresa broke the kiss and stepped back from Marcus to make introductions. "Marcus, let me introduce mi abuelos...my grandparents, Isabel and Ernesto Cortez. Abuela y Abuelo, this is Major Marcus Roman!"

  Ernesto shook Marcus' hand and said, "Welcome to our home! Teresita has told us much about you. Please come in and sit down!" Ernesto led the way into the living room and motioned Marcus to the couch, before sitting in his recliner. Isabel and Teresa went into the kitchen to start dinner.

  "So, you are going to be part of the new Arizona State Guard, Marcus?" asked Mr. Cortez.

  "Yes sir! Our role is to secure our borders and keep the peace," replied Marcus.

  Ernesto Cortez nodded. "I understand...as does my wife. We were born and raised here in the United States and support legal immigration...not illegal immigration. We have done what we could to help family members still south of the border to immigrant using the legal system for that process."

  "The recent waves of illegals include a lot of children, gang members from Central American groups, drug cartel mules, and even a number of people from the Middle East. The ranchers and others along the border live in fear, their property has been trespassed upon and destroyed. The border was supposed to have been secured following the enactment of the amnesty law in the 1980s but it never happened." said Marcus.

  "Well, we are glad you had some time to come visit us and to be with Teresa. She has missed you and was excited to hear that you would join the Arizona State Guard. She's a
lready signed her contract and faxed it back to your headquarters." Ernesto said.

  Marcus smiled and nodded. He had forwarded Teresa's contract to his father's office for approval. He looked towards the kitchen and listened to try to hear Teresa and her grandmother. Marcus decided he had time to speak with Senor Cortez before the ladies returned. "Sir, I've missed Teresa, also. In fact, I came here for a special reason. I come from a family steeped in tradition...we tend to do things the old fashion way. Sir, I would like to ask your permission to ask your granddaughter to marry me?"

  Ernesto Cortez chuckled and said, "I figured as much. Before I answer you, Marcus, I must tell you a story. Many years ago, my father, Rodrigo Cortez, lived in a small Mexican town about 60 miles south of the U.S. border. When my father was a teenager, Pancho Villa used his village as a safe haven for a time. My father was a stable boy who helped care for the horses of Villa and his men.

  "One day, the U.S. Army, led by General Pershing came to the village and drove Villa and his companeros away. A young American lieutenant found my father and spoke to him. The young lieutenant believed my father when he said he wasn't one of Villa's men and asked my father what he would like to do with his life. Father told him he would like to move to the United States and go to school.

  "The young lieutenant took my father to the U.S. Army camp and made arrangements to sponsor my father across the border legally. He sent messages to his people back in southern Arizona to provide a place to stay and a tutor to help my father learn English and prepare him for school. Soon, my father was taken to Arizona and with the help of the lieutenant and his famly and friends, he was given a place to live and a wonderful tutor who helped him study.

  "As the years went by, the lieutenant and his family helped my father achieve his goals. Upon graduating from college, my father was recruited by a prominent business here in the Verde Valley. He fell in love, married, and he and my mother had seven children. Through the years, the lieutenant and his family remained in touch with my father.